Chapter 4

A month later, I walked into the assessment room with this training demonstration.

Everyone was there except Circe.

She came in with Elias.

The light fell perfectly on both of them.

Elias occasionally lowered his head, accommodating Circe's height to hear what she was saying.

The man's profile was illuminated, his features sharp and defined.

His eyes were dark, his smile subtle.

In that unintentional moment our eyes met, I wanted to read something different in his gaze.

But there was nothing.

Still the same cold indifference.

We drew lots to determine the presentation order. I was before Circe.

I went on stage with a composed expression, leading my team through the training demonstration.

And during the speech segment after training, I explained all my training ideas and inspiration.

During the speech, I was completely focused.

After stepping down, sparse applause sounded.

The most enthusiastic person clapping was Amy, the young woman who had been following me since her graduation internship.

Elias was expressionless. No one could read what he was thinking.

The principal tried to gauge the meaning in his expression from the corner of his eye.

It was Circe's turn.

She naturally made eye contact with Elias.

They smiled at each other.

The colleagues below exchanged glances with gossipy smiles.

Amy moved closer to me and whispered:

"Violet, is our team going to be eliminated?"

I pulled at the corners of my lips, forcing out a strained smile.

After Circe's training demonstration ended, her applause was clearly much louder than mine.

Even the principal clapped excitedly for her.

Elias's lips curved slightly upward.

There was a thirty-minute break midway.

Lately, I had been caught up in rumors about Elias and Circe, almost suffocating.

The way he looked at me was too cold, making my heart tighten.

From colleagues' gossip, I learned more about Elias and Circe's past.

Elias had actively pursued Circe.

He unfailingly walked her back to her dorm and brought her breakfast.

Their classmates all knew how much Elias loved Circe.

I sat motionless in my chair.

Watching Elias and Circe's backs as they walked out side by side, my nose tingled.

The man I had struggled so hard to get had my most hated person in his heart.

Only Amy and I remained in the assessment room.

Amy held my hand.

The thirty minutes ended.

The results were in.

Elias and the people he brought had already left.

Our principal announced the results.

Three votes total.

All three votes went to Circe.

When the results were announced, my eyes stung and tears welled up.

I forced those tears back down.

The principal and Circe exchanged glances, affirming her.

Several colleagues surrounded Circe.

"Circe, you're amazing."

"Getting promoted to Senior Trainer at such a young age, you have an incredible future ahead."

My figure was lonely as I exited.

But Circe caught up with me.

"Violet."

I stopped in my tracks.

Her eyes curved with her smile.

"Even though you're his wife, to him I'll always be first."

"Everything you struggled so hard to get comes easily to me."

Yes, when we were young, Circe could easily take away my father's love for me.

Now she could also occupy Elias's heart.

In the distance, Elias was ushered into the elevator by the principal, his posture lazy and casual.

Suddenly I felt exhausted.

I didn't want to fight with Circe anymore.

I didn't want Elias anymore either.

The elevator stayed still.

The principal was very perceptive and quickly called for Circe and me to get in the elevator together.

The elevator slowly descended.

The principal flattered him.

"Alpha Elias, you and Circe make such a handsome couple. You're perfectly matched."

Several others chimed in.

"Exactly. I heard Alpha Elias and Circe are already married, just haven't announced the news to the public. Alpha Elias really dotes on his wife, coming to our school specifically to be a judge for Circe."

I numbly listened to these flattering words, unable to stir up any emotion.

I felt a subtle but burning gaze from beside me. I looked over.

Elias's face stiffened.

The principal poked my arm, hinting that I should also say something.

"Violet, don't you think so? Alpha Elias and Circe are such a perfect match."

The elevator doors opened.

I calmly met Elias's eyes.

"Indeed, a perfect match."

Panic flashed through his indifferent eyes, his thin lips parting as if to say something.